SEPANG, Nov 6 — The Malaysian Border Control and Protection Agency (AKPS) has thwarted an attempt by four Malaysians to smuggle 86 kilogrammes of ganja worth nearly RM8.3 million to Manchester, United Kingdom, through Penang International Airport last Monday.
AKPS director-general Datuk Seri Mohd Shuhaily Mohd Zain said the suspects — two men and two women in their 20s from Johor — were detained after one of the couple’s luggage was re-scanned by the airline when they were denied boarding.
“Both couples had travelled from Johor to Penang by bus and stayed at several hotels in George Town before preparing to depart to Manchester.
“They are all still young. One is self-employed, another works as an e-hailing driver, while one is in the oil and gas sector,” he told a press conference here today.
Mohd Shuhaily said further inspections led to the arrest of the couple, as well as two other individuals who had checked in earlier for the same flight.
“The first couple managed to board their flight to Manchester as promised, while the second pair later realised that their tickets only went as far as Singapore,” he said.
Following the incident, airline staff contacted AKPS officers to accompany the second couple to retrieve their luggage. Scans conducted at the arrival hall revealed suspicious items, which were later confirmed to be ganja.
“Initial investigations showed that all four suspects admitted to accepting job offers via the TikTok app to transport ‘goods’ while travelling, with promised payments of between RM8,000 and RM11,000,” he said.
All the suspects, believed to have been duped into becoming drug mules, are currently being held at the Penang Customs State Prevention Complex for further investigation.
Mohd Shuhaily said the case has been handed over to the Royal Malaysian Customs Department’s Narcotics Division for investigation under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.
He also urged the public to remain vigilant and avoid dubious online job offers, particularly those involving overseas travel or dealings with unknown individuals.
